Contact email: mesreads AT gmail.com
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GIVEAWAYS ARE NOW LOCATED ON THEIR OWN PAGE - CLICK ON TAB ABOVE; Giveaways also linked on right sidebar.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Winners of Download of Eathed, A Dragon's Tale

CONGRATULATIONS
to the Winner(s)
of
Giveaway Ending August 3, 2012

Download Giveaway: Eathed, A Dragon's Tale by Troy Lee Henderson
Nrlymrtl,
bn100
and
Tore 
Nrlymrtl, bn100 and Tore please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads AT gmail.com to confirm the win and I'll send a gift for the download.  Please reply within 72 hours!  

Friday, August 3, 2012

Book Review: Moonglow by Kristen Callihan

I enjoy this author's strong plots, unique paranormal elements and warm romance.
by Kristen Callihan

  • File Size: 600 KB
  • Print Length: 417 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1455508586
  • Publisher: Forever (July 31, 2012)
  • Sold by: Hachette Book Group
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B006FLRDPS
Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0


Book Description
Publication Date: July 31, 2012 | Series: Darkest London (Book 2)
Once the seeds of desire are sown . . .
Finally free of her suffocating marriage, widow Daisy Ellis Craigmore is ready to embrace the pleasures of life that have long been denied her. Yet her new-found freedom is short lived. A string of unexplained murders has brought danger to Daisy's door, forcing her to turn to the most unlikely of saviors . . .
Their growing passion knows no bounds . . .
Ian Ranulf, the Marquis of Northrup, has spent lifetimes hiding his primal nature from London society. But now a vicious killer threatens to expose his secrets. Ian must step out of the shadows and protect the beautiful, fearless Daisy, who awakens in him desires he thought long dead. As their quest to unmask the villain draws them closer together, Daisy has no choice but to reveal her own startling secret, and Ian must face the undeniable truth: Losing his heart to Daisy may be the only way to save his soul.


Review:
Daisy seems a bit skitter-brained but she is really a delightful and frank character.  She is a widow emerging from the ‘proper’ mourning period into freedom from a man who abused her verbally and mentally as well as physically.   She is exited to be free of repression and in a position to enjoy her exuberance and passion for life. Unfortunately her first attempt to step on the wild side results in her turning away from the man pressing kisses on her and seeing her good friend staring glassy eyed from a pool of blood with some creature sniffing about her face!

Lord Ian Ranulf, Marquis of Northrup, is the rightful Apha leader of the Ranulf pack. But he exiled himself from the pack decades before when he refused to challenge his younger brother who killed their father for the royal position of power.  Ian agonized through the lose of those he loved and decided he would shut himself off so he couldn’t be devastated by such lose again. Yet Ian has a great capacity for caring and he quickly comes to the rescue of a panicked Daisy when a sick werewolf turns to attack her.

It appears that the crazed werewolf is attacking women with a sent that matches Daisy’s rather unique fragrance, one she blends herself.  Daisy insists on being part of the investigation and Ian determines the best way to protect her is to keep her by his side. As Daisy faces danger she discovers a few secrets of her own background.

Ian's brother should control the problem of a sick werewolf in the territory, but he is failing to do so. Does the threat go deeper than Ian suspects?  Can he maintain his exile and still save the woman he is falling in love with?

This story includes strong action and a plot full of misunderstandings, intrigue, secrets, manipulation and deliberate deceit.  Ms. Callihan does an exceptional job of twining details of cultural and political circumstances into the paranormal world she has created in this series. 

Daisy and Ian are strong, passionate characters and I enjoyed the fun bantering between them. Although the intimate relationship turns pretty steamy, the emotional aspects of the romance are warm and tender.  Ms. Callihan’s portrayal of the love that blooms in Ian is enough to have any romance fan sighing in pleasure. The warm romance combined with a solid suspenseful plot made this a winner for me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Daisy hears Lord Ian’s voice:
His voice was at once lilting and light, yet rough. Silk over gravel. Location 287.
Daisy’s mouth runs on in a humorous fashion:
“Pay no mind to me, sir. There are times my mouth and brain forget to hold a conversation.”  Location 300.
A great description during the police investigation:
Step, turn, guide, release, one danced through an interrogation. Location 946.
Ian’s reaction to his growing feelings for Daisy:
Ah, but she killed him. She had cut out his heart and taken it for her own.  Location 3359.
I received this book from Hachette through NetGalley.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 3, 2012

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway - Welcome!  Scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.] 

Whew-What a week! My assistant was out this week due to back problems. Then I spent today (12 noon  to 9:30pm) taking my daughter to the emergency room where they did all sorts of testing. She has been battling fever and pain for two weeks. She apparently has had an infection that spread through a perforation in her uterus.  Hopefully the antibiotics and pain meds will help her get the infection down so her GYN can check that all is on the mend.

When I got home tonight I had to prepare a rush closing package for a closing tomorrow that was cancelled until 11am this morning when the Buyer advised it was back on. *Sigh.* Now it is 12:30 and I am hoping not to fall asleep as I prepare this post. :-)
I have to get up extra early tomorrow to drive my DH in for a medical procedure at 6:45am.  Like I said - what a week!

Thank you to all who entered July 27 Pick.  There was only ONE Automatic winner this week. (those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks).  There were two blocked titles (Dead Ringer is a popular pick); The Promise was won this week.
Carol L picked Exit to Eden

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from July 27 Pick:

Mariska gets a GC
and
Louisa chose The Promise

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual or sexy and I have a new supply of sweet bookmarks.

This looks like a good way to spend a summer afternoon.
Mmmm -- nice to see a guy reading isn't it? ;-)
Image found at Eurobishop

New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
This time I pulled some books from one of my older boxes.
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing


Dead Ringer by Lisa Scottline
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Threads of Destiny by Arnette Lamb
A Dangerous Devotion by Barbara Kyle
Carolina Moon by Nora Roberts (some spine wear)
An Independent Woman by Candace Camp
Wolf Mountain Moon by Terry C. Johnston
Wild Escapade by Lisa Bingham
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander
Virtue by Jane Feather
Don't Bargain with The Devil by Sabrina Jeffries
Mistress by Amanda Quick - Audio Cassettes
*Long Time Coming by Sandra Brown
*The Contrary Corinthian by Emily Hendrickson (spine wear)
*There Was a Little Boy by Claire Rainwater Jacobs
*On Thin Ice by Linda Hall

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing
 
The Promise by Kasey Michaels
Winning Ways by Barbara Boswell
Tomorrow's Promise by Sandra Brown
Midnight Rainbow by Linda Howard
Death's Door by Meryl Sawyer
Life Support by Tess Gerristen Audio Cassettes
Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich
Exit to Eden by Anne Rice
While My Pretty One Sleeps by Mary Higgins Clark
Gifts from the Heart by Jillian Hart
*Simon Said by Sarah R. Shaber
*One is the Lonliest Number - Tom Clancey's Net Force
*Edwin of the Iron Shoes by Marcia Mueller
*Covert Pursuit by Terri Reed
*Close to Home by Carolyne Aarsen


New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books suitable for international
Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts
Game Over by Fern Michaels
Forever Victoria by Dorothy Garlock
Sleeping Alone by Barbara Bretton
Gentle From the Night Meagan McKinney (spine creased)
In Too Deep by Tina Wainscott
Wildflower by Jill Marie Landis
*Love and Other Four Letter Words by Caroline Mackler
*The Carousel by Rosamund Pilcher
*Shades of Grace by Barbara Delinsky (audio tapes)
The Heart of Justice by William L. Coughlin
Cross Country by James Patterson



New book Group #27 April 13, 2012
Some of the books on the right end are smaller and suitable for overseas mailing. :-)
Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris (spine damage)
Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
Midnight Hour by Debra Dixon
September Morning by Diana Palmer
Beneath the Surface by Annie White (slight spine wear)
*The Dream Horse by Virginia Campbell Scott
*Summer's Belle by Paige Winship Dooly


New book Group #26 March 2, 2012--- (All gone)
These are Paired sets - two per author.
Four are parts of series the others are just singles by the same author.
Winners get both books if you pick these.


New Group #25 January 12, 2012

*Smaller books on the right would be okay for most international mailing.

Leopards Kill by Jim DeFelice
Category 7 by Bill Evans and Marianna Jameson
Hell's Belle by Jane Holleman


New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011---(All gone)
(The only Thanksgiving title I found is a Harlequin I'd like to read someday so no Thanksgiving titles for November.)


New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
I tried to pick some books that would be good for October -
Halloween or dark minded.

Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Emily's Good Nightmare by Cosmic Debris Cosmic


New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011


New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011
There are eight mysteries and I have asterisked nine books that are smaller and would be good for oversea choices if so desired.


Stand by Me Anthology with Dallas Schulze, Roberta Leigh and Linda Randall Wisdom (spine creased)

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books
Group #20

Singles
Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes


3/25/11 I did get to set up a new group of books:
Group #19
Singles
Primary Colors - audio tapes
Note of Peril (black strip on cover)

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!---(All gone)
Not all of these are two from a series but several are. Each pick gets two books.

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:
If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways. 

I started Friday Pick in November 27, 2009 and in two years I  posted 26 groups of 16 books to find new homes! (March 2012)

I have periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want! I am happy to say that so far about 394 books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed.

Note rules here regarding international entries.
Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.
I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $5.00 and $6.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.
Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.

WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads@gmail.com. [I will confirm receipt of the addresses- well I realize I haven't always done this. But if you filled out the form and don't get the book within two weeks nudge me with an email please!] If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so....

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

1/14/11 New List
#17
Moonfire by Judith Redman Robbins

12/3/10 Book Set:
#16
Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

List #15---(All gone)
List #14---(All gone)

Here is set #13 of Used books!
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix

This is a group of books I have had for several years but not gotten to read. Since it doesn't look like I will get to read them for another year (or more!) I am passing them on. Although as I type them part of me still says "But you may want to read that some day!" Yes, yes; along with the other 700 books I am housing! Must Let goooooo.....
Group #12---(All gone)

Group #11
Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Snow in April by Rosamunde Pilcher
Looking Back by Belva Plain
The Ring on Her Finger by Elizabeth Bevarly

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2
The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross

Pick #3---(All gone)

Pick #4
Talking God by Tony Kellerman
Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford
The Sixth Sense
The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)

Pick #5
See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel
Misfortune by Nancy Geary
Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes

Pick #6---(All gone)

Pick #7
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape
Princess Charming by Jane Heller (slightly creased)

Pick #8
(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes
No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray
Guardian by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes
Time to Hunt by Stephen Hunter - Audio Tapes

Pick #10
The Third Twin by Ken Follett (spine creased)

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Interview with R. E. Robinson, Jr., author of The Perses Effect

Today I welcome R.E. Robinson, Jr., author of The Perses Effect
Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us today.

Q1.  Did you always what to be a writer?
RER:  I loved to write even before my high school days. I don’t know why I didn’t pursue a career in writing earlier than now. If I could travel back in time I would tell the younger version of me to take college courses in writing and focus in that direction for a career.
Q2.  Did/does your family support your efforts in becoming a writer?
RER:  Most definitely, my wife has been a huge supporter of me taking a career move into doing something that I enjoy. I haven’t had one friend or family member say don’t do it or you’re wasting your time.
Q3.  Do your work career/hobbies/interests influence your writing?
RRE:  I get influences from all sorts of areas including TV, movies, other books and the news. I watch a lot of Discovery, TLC and other channels like those to gain ideas and knowledge. I have enjoyed gaming throughout my life all the way from role-playing and board games to video games. They have enhanced my already vivid imagination.
Q4.  Did you find anything "hands on" or unusual required when researching to write The Perses Effect?
When working on the battles I would have my friends play out the characters based on them and give me feedback and advice on what they would do in a certain situation. We would use miniatures and Hotwheels cars to flesh out the scenes. So I have them to thank because I couldn’t have written the final battle without their help.
Q5. Do you do anything especially helpful for your world building? (Notebook, Bulletin board, etc?)
RRE:  My friend who I based one of the main characters upon lives outside of Milledgeville, GA where I live. I used a courthouse plot map of his land with notes he gave me on what his ideal property would be like if the world were to break down tomorrow. Things like defenses, etc.
Q6.  Do your characters live with you or haunt your dreams as you write?
RRE:  Almost all of my main characters are based on family and friends so they do live near and with me but they don’t do any haunting thank goodness. At least not right now.
Q7.  Do you have any strange habits when you write?
RRE:  Not really, I just won’t be able to write until everybody has gone to bed and the house is quiet. I need full concentration to write just like I did back in college. My wife got me the Dragon speaking program to aid me but I haven’t even opened the box. The story builds in my head and I don’t think I could tell my computer how to write it down.
Q8.  What are some of the best tips you've received on writing?
RRE:  Early on I got advice that my first drafts looked more like a screenplay than a novel. So I made a few tweaks here and there but when there’s something going on that doesn’t need much description then I won’t pad the pages with unnecessary wording or over explain something. If it doesn’t need many words to describe then it doesn’t get many words to describe said thing.
Q9.  Which authors have influenced you most how?
RRE:  H.P. Lovecraft – In my opinion the father of modern horror. His sentence structure is amazing and the stories suck me in without having to be thousand page novels. J.R.R. Tolkien – In my opinion the father of modern fantasy. Everyone that reads his work can pull something different from it, something personal and relatable. Stan Lee – Is the grand daddy of the comic industry. He and his team made superheroes relatable. They had strengths but also weaknesses like the average person. I could go on and on but I won’t.
Q10. Which words (up to three) would you use to describe yourself and your personality?
RRE:  Quiet, easy-going, detail oriented.
Q11. Which words (up to three) would you use to describe Evan in The Perses Effect?
RRE:  Thoughtful, over-thinker, worrier.
Q12.  If you could have readers answer a question what would it be?
RRE:  You saved the toughest question for last Martha. I never really thought about asking readers a question before. Guess I’ll ask this. With children having been affected so adversely by the Perses virus, is there a cure?
Thank you again.
Martha
RRE:  Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to talk about my book. I really hate that my schedule changed and I was not able to be interviewed but I have to keep my night job until I become a well know author and can continue my passion full time.
Thank you.
Ron

The Perses Effect
By R.E. Robinson Jr

Blurb:

The world has been changed forever. Death and mutation have swept across the planet leaving some of the survivors altered into non-human races and gaining powers that would take time to comprehend. Always thinking ahead Evan Root invited family and friends to live on his farm shortly before the comet that started it all was destroyed.

As the remaining population rebuilds Evan Root and his wife Jordan are producing bio-fuel to use and trade. On a routine trip to the market murmurs of disappearing town’s people span the crowd. While at the market Evan’s group is ambushed and when he finally makes it back to the farm he finds out his wife has been abducted. Evan feels her abduction has everything to do with her power.

Hoping it will lead him to his wife Evan and his companions must discover who or what is behind the disappearances while defending themselves at every turn.




http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10793607-the-perses-effect



 
 
 
 
Bio: 

Ronald E. Robinson Jr. served in the US Army and has a criminal justice degree. He lives in Georgia with his family.




Book Review: The Perses Effect Book 1

This is an imaginative and engaging ride of fantasy creatures, monsters included.
by R. E. Robinson Jr.

  • File Size: 1388 KB
  • Print Length: 200 pages
  • Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
  • Publisher: Xlibris (February 26, 2011)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B004S2KUSS
Genre: Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0


Book Description
Publication Date: February 26, 2011
In August 2012 an amateur astronomer spotted a comet; which was later dubbed Perses, Greek god of destruction. While NASA was tracking its trajectory they discovered it would pass dangerously close to the moon causing Earth’s gravitational field to shift leading to a global catastrophe. The world’s entire nuclear arsenal was launched.

Perses was destroyed and rained down on the unsuspecting world. A dormant alien virus triggered by the nuclear radiation swept across the planet leaving death and mutation in its wake.

Now its time to survive…



Review:

An exploded comet showered down pieces of rock that people snatched up for souvenirs. A dormant virus was just waiting for other medium, like hands, to move into and spread. Once active, the virus caused inexplicable varieties of mutation.  Some humans morphed into elves or orcs; some recieved electrical or chemical powers; and others have telepathic abilities or new magic skills. And lets not forget the monsters. Some mutations are good and some are evil. Though it might be nice to allocate the good with good people that isn’t always how it works.  Sadly, children mutated into little beasties with claws and a thirst for blood.

Evan Root set up a mostly self-contained farm compound in rural Georgia.  Evan lives there with his wife, Jordan, his younger brothers, a few close friends and a few strangers that sought shelter and have stayed.  Evan didn’t choose to be a leader but that is the role he has been placed in.  Each of the members of the ranch contribute to the work with their different skills.  Jordan is able to make bio fuel with a secret formula. Violet can heal with her hands. Lavin, can cast spells and another friend, Richard, can read minds through telepathy.  There are other heightened senses and skills as well.

The Root clan survived the initial dangers of the virus, including giant ants and attacking children.  Now the group trade their bio fuel at the market which is much like an old time medieval market set up for bartering.  But dangers abound and there is a criminal thug in town who is set on building his empire. His primary henchman is a pale, hooded man, who developed a chip that gives him control over others, whether it is the wild children whom he treats like trained dogs, or unsuspecting workers being gathered as a small army.  If that isn’t danger enough, a mad scientist who began experimenting on criminals, has discovered a shadowy darkness and wants to join the team of evil doers.

Evan and his crew fight off a relentless attack by the small army, suffering injuries and casualties before they escape. They return home only to discover that Jordan has been kidnapped by the Pale man. While they want to find a way to rescue her, they face another danger at their end of the community.  It seems a twisted Preacher is using hidden powers to mind control the crowds. He proclaims that all mutants are unrepentant sinners and must be eliminated.

There is non-stop action going on in this book with very intensely described fighting scenes. I really enjoyed the blend of danger with the everyday activities of surviving.  Those aspects made the story very real even with the array of fantasy beings and monsters.  Mr. Robinson uses an interesting mix of present activities with memories of past events to fill in the back history. The story is written in present tense which is a bit unusual but it allowed the flash backs to be easily distinguished.

If you like survival stories with twisted fantasy you should enjoy this read. Be forewarned that you may find yourself deeply involved in the lives of the protagonists just as you run into the “to be continued” ending.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Note on editing: There were a few pov errors and numerous small typographical errors that could easily be cleaned up with a good sharp editing. Don’t let this discourage you from reading this engaging book. Frankly, it seems that many of the books I am reading have typo errors, and that is not limited to ARCs.]

Survival has always been dangerous, but now it’s more deadly than ever with every move they make outside the farm fence a dance with fate. They have to be prepared for anything while they are out, and their training together is cruicial to their mission’s success. Location 1304-5.

I received this book to review as part of Bewitching Book Tour with Author Interview.
Set in Milledgeville, Georgia for my Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also add it to my ARC and New Author lists.

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